Drooping eyelids can impair vision. Photo: Socialitelife.celebuzz.com
Have you ever wondered if a desire to look younger is the only reason to get eyelid surgery? Can eyelid surgery improve your vision? Can it improve eye comfort and the health of your eyes? What is involved in eyelid surgery and who is best qualified to perform it?
Eyelid surgery is called blepharoplasty. Depending on the condition treated, it can also be called entropion repair, ectropion repair, or ptosis surgery. Eye lid surgery can be done for the following reasons:
• To rejuvenate the appearance of eyes and your face – often lid surgery alone is sufficient to rejuvenate facial appearance and face lift is not necessary
• To improve vision – droopy eye lids (ptosis) can block field of vision, especially the upper field and lifting the eyelids may improve peripheral vision.
• To reduce eye irritation caused by eyelashes turned inward – this condition is called trichiasis and it is common in Asian eyelids. Heavy eyelids and low position of the eyelid crease can result in lid turning inward (entropion) that can cause inward turning of the eyelashes (trichiasis). This can result in eyelashes scratching the cornea.
• To reduce eye redness, tearing, and irritation caused by droopy lower eyelids – with age, lower eyelids may become lax and start drooping or losing apposition to the eye (ectropion). This may result in chronic “red eye.”
Age is the most common reason for eyelid changes. However, congenital abnormalities, injury, or disease can cause any of the above problems. Eyelid problems can sometimes cause the symptoms of dry eyes and they need to be evaluated thoroughly in anyone undergoing treatment for dry eyes.
How is eyelid surgery performed?
• Unless it is combined with other facial surgery, eyelid surgery is performed on outpatient basis. In certain cases, it can even be done in the surgeon’s office, providing they have appropriate equipment and proper sterilization of instruments.
• Anesthesia is typically local, but sometimes IV sedation is done as well.
• If an eyelid problem is present in both eyes, they are typically done during the same session.
• The incision lines for eyelid surgery are designed for scars to be well concealed within the natural creases of the eyelid region.
Who should you select to perform eyelid surgery?
Eyelids have many delicate and intricate structures. Moreover, good eye lid closure is important and contact between the eye lid and the eye needs to be well-maintained. Extreme care, therefore, needs to be taken to preserve many structures that are important not only in maintaining optimal appearance but also in maintaining the health of the eyes. If not done properly, chronic dry eyes, incomplete lid closure, and asymmetric lid appearance may result. It is, therefore, critical to select a specialist who is either an oculoplastics surgeon or a facial plastic surgeon with experience in eye lid surgery.
What is the recovery like from eyelid surgery?
Every person heals differently, however initially there may be some swelling, bruising, irritation or dry eyes and discomfort. These post surgical symptoms can be controlled with medication, cold compresses and ointment. They resolve with time. Eye lubrication is important during the healing process to prevent drying of the cornea.
How do you time eye lid surgery with other eye surgery?
If you are interested in getting eye lid surgery and LASIK, for example, or eye lid surgery and cataract surgery, the best timing is to get the eye surgery done first. During eye surgery, such as LASIK, PRK, cataract, lens surgery, glaucoma, or retinal surgery, eyelid retractors are used to hold the eye lids open. Eye lid retractors can pull on the eye lid muscles and skin. If eye lid surgery is done first, the eye lid area may be too delicate for eyelid retractors. Eye lid retractors may “undo” some of the effect of eye lid surgery. It is, therefore, best to have eye surgery done first and then follow it with eye lid surgery.
Pacific Vision Institute www.pacificvision.org
American Society of Plastic Surgeons www.plasticsurgery.org
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